To lose a child is the most devastating experience any parent has to face. In the UK alone, thousands of children under 19 die each year. The effect of the death of a child upon all members of the family may be far reaching and lifelong, with many others beyond the immediate family also deeply affected.

A caller to our helpline may be anyone affected by a child’s death, from pre-birth to the death of an adult child, however recently or long ago and whatever the circumstances of the death. Over 13,000 young adults in their twenties and thirties also die, and grief is no less intense for the surviving parents of an adult child. For a parent, their son or daughter will always be their child, irrespective of age. We receive calls and support parents whose child was of any age when they died.

The statistics only paint part of the picture but give an indication of the number of families experiencing bereavement each year – and throughout their life and the opportunities for the helpline to support those families.

We provide support not only at times of crisis but also for the on-going needs of callers over their lifetime. We believe that what we have learnt, and what we continue to learn enables us to offer worthwhile support.

Anyone who has been affected by the death of a child of any age, from pre-birth to adult, under any circumstances, however recently or long ago. Because for a parent their son or daughter will always be their child, we also hear from, and support, parents whose 30, 40, 50 year old has died.

Whilst most calls are from parents, we do hear from many other family members – aunts, grandparents, brothers and sisters, friends - and also teachers, emergency services staff and healthcare professionals.